ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Mills' second goal of the season propelled the Hillcats (7-3-1, 3-2-0 GAC/MIAA) to victory over Ouachita Baptist (5-4-1, 2-3-0 GAC/MIAA) 1-0 Saturday at Kluck Field. The match was defined by a physical tone, with the teams combining for 34 fouls and nine yellow cards. RSU finished with a 12-10 edge in shots and put four attempts on goal while limiting the Tigers to one shot on frame in the shutout.
The Hillcats opened the first half in front when
Louis Bassett played a short pass from the endline to
Conor Mills (2), who tapped in near the right post in the sixth minute for a 1-0 lead. The Tigers had taken two off-target shots in the opening five minutes, but RSU followed the goal with chances from
Jamie Kennedy, Bassett and
Brandon O'Rourke, including Kennedy's saved attempt in the 11th minute.
Matthew Reed forced another save from Isaac Murie in the 28th minute, and
Grayson Horsley missed high in the 36th minute as the Hillcats continued to generate attempts while the half grew more physical. The teams combined for 11 fouls and cards from 29:56 to 39:23, as the half concluded with the Cats' ahead by one goal.
RSU held its 1-0 lead in a scoreless second half, keeping the Tigers off the board to finish with a 1-0 road win. Earlier, the Tigers generated the first push after halftime with four shots and a corner by the 53:31 mark, but
Tristan Miller saved Cody Tice's attempt in the 46th minute and the Hillcats answered with shots from Bassett and Kennedy. RSU kept creating chances as
Gian Filizzola forced a save in the 67th minute before O'Rourke and Filizzola added attempts in the 73rd and 75th minutes.
Jake Mangan sent another Hillcats shot high in the 88th minute, and RSU closed out the final minutes without allowing an equalizer.
Mills scored on his only shot, putting it on goal and recording the game-winning goal. Bassett tallied the assist and added two shots. Miller (7-3-1) played all 90 minutes in goal, made one save and finished with a shutout.
RSU returns to action Thursday against No. 21 Southern Nazarene in Bethany, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
